Handspun Hats

I love wearing and making hats.  I made this too big first so I had to rip it out.  I made it to fit a 20 inch head.  The thing is that my head is really 21 inches.  Hats are often too big or too small.  I really like the fit of this hat. I followed the same instructions/notes that I made to make another hat and I am unsure of it.  I think it might even be the colours.  I don't mind a slightly snug hat because when it is windy, your hat then doesn't act as a parachute.

The brim and the very top is handspun Shetland, that I spun myself.  It is naturally coloured.  I also purchased these Hedgehogfibres batts in 2012 and spun it.  I wasn't too happy with my spinning job.  I spun the batts quite bulky, which I don't always do but I am happy with this hat.  This hat goes well enough with my new garter stitch shawl.  Funny enough, my new shawl is also spun Hedgehogfibres merino and silk handspun with a tan sock yarn.

Both are keeping me warm as it seems to be getting cooler here in Ireland.

I am now on Instagram as Ellie and Ada.  

Entente Florale 2015

Trim Town has taken part in the Entente Florale Competition.  The town looks great and it was so wonderful to see such a level of participation.  The judging has taken place last week.  I decided to share this video. This video was done by a local business in Trim, Stockhouse Restaurant.  Thought you might like a little break from pictures of wool, knitting and dogs...  If you are ever in the town of Trim, be sure to visit Stockhouse Restaurant.

Day 8 Tour De Fleece

Didn't do much!  haha!  Very tired!  Maybe more tomorrow....

Day 7 Tour De Fleece 2015

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Spinning Falkland Wool that I dyed with turmeric.  I'm covered in turmeric now.  I love the colour but I don't know if this is going to work out.  Little disappointed.  Would love a hat this colour but I don't want a yellow mark on my forehead.  Will have to decide if I will continue spinning it or not.

Day 6 Tour De Fleece

I spun up these batts that I made with hand dyed superwash merino and some silver angelina fibre.  I think it will make a nice hat.

Will wash and set this yarn tomorrow.

I dug this yarn out of my handspun stash and decided to attempt knitting one of these hats.  I have a small head and knit with a big gauge so I am knitting with 5mm needles and cast on only 72.  I will see how I get on.

Happy Spinning!

Day 5 Tour De Fleece

I got a bit of spinning done today.  Yesterday and today, I didn't have as much time for it.  It is great to do this spinalong because even if you do 5 minutes, it's something and it counts.  There are no real rules.  It is nice to be spinning again.  I might even run out of hand dyed wool before the Tour is finished.  It is fun thinking about what I will knit with these new yarns.  I'd like to make some simple shawls and hats.  I've been looking up patterns and digging through all my handspun yarns.  I do want to start some but I have so many projects on the go.

One day, I will dye and spin matching hat, scarf/cowl/shawl and mittens/fingerless gloves.

I am beginning to find appreciation for fingerless gloves.  A shocking truth is I wore a pair of fingerless gloves that I dyed, spun and knitted while taking Lexi out for our last walk tonight.  Shocking because it's July.

Day 4 Tour De Fleece

Didn't get much spinning done today but I did a bit and took a few photos.

Today I made a chocolate, cherry, coconut banana bread.  It should be called everything including the kitchen sink cake!

Day 3 Tour De Fleece 2015

Day 3 of the Tour De Fleece.  I am planning on plying these two different colourways together and am looking forward to seeing the outcome.  I have high hopes of plying these bobbins after dinner.  I make no promises and I probably will photograph the plied yarn tomorrow.

Happy Spinning!

Day Two Tour De Fleece

This is yesterday's spinning plied.

This is Lexi, making the most the sunshine while it lasts.

I am going to spin and ply both of these together.  I spun the more orange-y one today and will spin the other one tomorrow.

Orange-y one spun.

Happy Spinning!

‪#‎tdfspinalong15‬, 

Tour De Fleece 2015 Irish Spinalong Day One

 Today is Day One of the Tour De Fleece and the Tour De France.  This is the first year, I am participating.  I am hoping to spin up a lot of my stash.  It's lovely here, so I was able to spin in my back garden.

The blue wool was some combed top that I purchased and the batt was one that I made.  It is a mixed fibre back from my LHogan wool days.

‪#‎tdfspinalong15‬

Grizzly Sweater

This is my top down raglan named Grizzly after a budgie.

The lighter part is hand spun and dyed by me.  I feel like pulling out the spinning wheel today but I think I might save my strength and fibre/fiber for the Tour De Fleece this year.  I am in the middle of turning the heel of my second Vestigial sock (the 3rd pair).  Can't wait to finish it and a million other projects.

It's feeling a bit more summery here.

From Song Of The Open Road   by Walt Whitman

Listen! I will be honest with you,

I do not offer the old smooth prizes, but offer rough new prizes,

These are the days that must happen to you:

You shall not heap up what is call’d riches,

You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve,

You but arrive at the city to which you were destin’d, you hardly settle yourself to satisfaction before you are call’d by an irresistible call to depart,

You shall be treated to the ironical smiles and mockings of those who remain behind you,

What beckonings of love you receive you shall only answer with passionate kisses of parting,

You shall not allow the hold of those who spread their reach’d hands toward you.

Stitch Markers and Socks

 I've been making stitch markers and have been enjoying decorating my knitting with them.  The top photo is a picture of stitch markers that I made from a treasured bracelet.  One of my closest friends made me the bracelet whilst we were students, sharing a flat together.  The elastic broke and I kept the beads.  I made stitch markers out of the beads and I love them. 

That Fischer Price dog is another treasure of mine, a prized possession.

Three Ply Handspun Hat

                                         Lexi is always on the scene, to help.

Three Ply Handspun Hat

Solid Navy Brim and Contrasting Handspun

4 stitches per inch
Worsted/Aran Yarn

Needles

5.5mm for body of the hat
5mm for the brim

Cast on 76 stitches, using 5mm needles and solid colour.  (in this case, I used Navy Blue)
2x2 Twisted Rib for 2 inches

Switch larger needles and handspun/contrasting yarn.  Increase 4 stitches evenly in the first round with handspun/contrasting yarn.

Knit until piece measures 7.5inches/19cm then start decreases.

Decreases
Round 1: *K6, K2tog
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *K5, K2tog
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *K4, K2tog
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: *K3, K2tog
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: *K2, K2tog
Round 10: Knit
Round 11: *K1, K2tog
Round 12 : Knit
Round 13 : *K2Tog
Round 14 : *K2Tog

Cut the yarn giving you a 12 inch/30.5cm tail.  Using a wool needle or tapestry needle and draw the yarn through the stitches on your knitting needle.  Draw it tight and weave this in and all other ends.  Wash and block or just wear if you don't have the patience.